The West Hempstead Civic Association is planning on protesting the applications for variances for the expansion of Hempstead Tire Service, located at 265 Hempstead Turnpike, during a hearing before the Town of Hempstead Zoning Board on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

One case calls for a variance for the rear yard to maintain an addition to the building. Another calls for use of part of the premises for the outdoor storage of tires and another application is to waive off-street parking and for permission to park in the front yard setback.

West Hempstead Civic Association President Bob Rabey said the civic opposes the proposed applications. According to Rabey, the establishment has not shown itself to be a good neighbor and has allowed messy conditions to exist there. "We're just adamantly opposed to this," he said. "On behalf of all the concerned citizens in the area, the civic association takes a negative stance."

The hearing will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 9:30 a.m. on the Town Meeting Pavilion at Hempstead Town Hall, One Washington Street in Hempstead.

The distinctive street signs have graced the residential neighborhood of Cathedral Gardens for several months now, and have met with great acclaim from residents and visitors alike, according to the West Hempstead Civic Association.

The project, spearheaded by Scott Jablow, President of the Cathedral Gardens Civic Association, and funded by public grants, courtesy of Assemblyman Tom Alfano and Senator Dean Skelos, as well as private donations, courtesy of Cathedral Gardens residents, is now ready to move into Phase II, with new signage proposed for the Mayfair section of town.

The West Hempstead Civic Association has adopted the new sign program as part of its ongoing neighborhood beautification and revitalization program, and is now in the process of analyzing the cost, and measuring the level of public support.

West Hempstead Civic Association President Bob Rabey and the executive board members enthusiastically received Mr. Jablow's recommendation that the sign project move forward, from Cathedral Gardens, west to the Franklin Square line, north of the Turnpike, in Phase II; then, south to the border of Malverne, in Phase III; and finally, east to the Hempstead border, in Phase IV.

"These new Street signs would be a dramatic improvement to our town," said Rabey. "People have been raving about them in Cathedral Gardens, and broad support for expanding this project throughout our community has been expressed. Now, we need to know what West Hempsteaders think about making a commitment to this project. Do they want to see these beautiful signs on all of our residential streets, and are they willing to adopt these signs and posts, as was done by Cathedral Gardens residents, absorbing a part of the cost?"

Based on the figures compiled by Scott Jablow, each distinctive sign and post would cost approximately $550. It is the hope of the civic association to cover part of the cost through public grant money, and the balance of the funds through private donations made by the residents themselves. The Town of Hempstead, which donated time and labor to plant the street signs in Cathedral Gardens, will be asked to make a repeat performance as the project advances.